The Gay Etruscan Frescoes in Italy

The Gay Etruscan Frescoes in Italy

You can find the Tomb of the Bulls in Tarquinia, near to Rome. The tomb dated back to the 530 b.C., is one of the first examples of the Etruscan where homosexuality is represented.

This Tomb from the Etruscan Civilization is well known for the frescoes well preserved with erotic images. The name of the tomb comes from the two bulls above the doorways of the end wall.

Some descriptions about the frescoes identify the sexual acts as mere fertility symbols.

Troilus Fresco

The Troilus fresco, according to art historians is based on Greek iconography. This fresco represents Achilles ambushing Troilus, and the prophecy that says that Troilus was supposed to be killed by Achilles.

The story says that Troilus was was known for the delicacy and kindness with his horses, and Achilles made an ambush to him and his sister while they were on their wait to draw water to the Timbra fountain.

Some of the interpretations said that the Troilus fresco and the other two frescoes where are shown homosexual intercourses are part of the story of Achilles.

Tomb of the Bulls

Achilles was struck by the beauty of Troilus, making him feel a powerful desire for him and when Troilus saw him he escaped from Achilles.

However, the other frescoes inside the Tomb show homosexual intercourses, representing the bisexuality of Achilles. You will able to see in one of the frescoes two men having sexual intercourse while a bull with man’s face is aggressively approaching them and the other one heterosexual intercourse.

These representations where very common among the ancient Greeks to show that love between people of the same sex was a common and ordinary fact.